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We often think of watchmaking as a quaint, old world, manual operation - wizened men hunched over a desk, loupe planted firmly in the eye, carving out steel components with 19th century tools. While there still are watch manufactures that preserve the old ways of doing things, even the storied companies like Patek and Lange fully embrace the latest technology for parts of the process where it makes sense. Similarly, even mass produced pieces require some manual steps and the steady hands of trained watchmakers to assemble.

Take, for example, the Tissot Sea Touch. The Sea Touch is a quartz ana-digi multifunctional dive watch from the Swatch Group's entry level marque. Though it's a thoroughly modern underwater tool, with electronic compass, depth gauge and dive log functions, as the following video shows, there are still some human processes involved in its manufacture.

This video is a fascinating inside look at how Tissot builds a watch in large numbers. We see hands being stamped and lumed by machines but we also see gas jets being lit by hand for the production of the sapphire crystals. While this is no haute horlogerie it is still a pleasure to watch. The underwater video isn't bad either. Especially in February.

But, a vintage world timer from Patek, VC, or Rolex will cost you some serious money, and that is why we are here today with a 1950s Tissot that has the same appeal for a fraction of the price. In fact, this is a fantastic original example of a Tissot WT dating to the mid 1950s. When you press the button at 2 o'clock, the inner disc rotates so the wearer may calibrate it to home-time. Once done, time may be read in the 24 timezones shown on the dial.

This pristine and original Tissot World Time is being offered for $4250 and more details may be found here.

Editor's Note: Later today we'll be showing you what is perhaps the most impressive world-time watch currently available, so stay tuned!

When it comes to vintage watches, some of our favorites have the world time complication. Watches with the world time complication evoke a certain jet-setter and VIP status. As you may remember, probably our favorite vintage Breitling is the 1950s Unitime World Time. Today we want to show you what is hands down our favorite vintage Tissot watch: the Navigator World Time.

Made in the 1950s, the Navigator World Time features an automatic bumper movement. To set the world time dial, there is a pusher at the 2 o’clock position. Tissot had a few case material variations for the Navigator World Time including 14kt gold, gold filled, matte stainless steel, and (our favorite) buffed stainless steel. Tissot even reintroduced the Navigator World Time as a limited edition in the mid-1990s.

The buffed stainless steel Tissot Navigator World Time watch pictured is available for $4,250 - a lot for a vintage Tissot, not a lot for a vintage World Timer.

We've been giving away watches all week from some amazing sponsors and friends, many of which are producing some truly great timepieces. But, when we started Hodinkee, our goal was (and still is) to call attention to those creative and innovative timepieces "that you just don't see everyday". We wanted to inspire.

MB&F, whose modern haute horology pieces we've shown you many times beore, has the same goal. Their timepieces are unlike anything else on the planet, and each time a new model is released, the horological world is turned upside-down.

Well MB&F heard we were having a 2nd anniversary bash and they wanted donate something that represented the creativity, innovation, and passion in the watch world that they so love. So, Stephen Hallock, President of MB&F North America (who you may recognize from this) dove into his own personal collection of watches and came up with this watch to be given to you, the reader. What is it exactly? It's the Tissot Astrolon Idea 2001.

Unknown to even some of the most knowledgeable collectors on the planet, the Tissot Idea 2001 was one of the most revolutionary timepieces of the 20th century. It was the culmination of two decades worth of research by Tissot (seriously, research began in 1952 and this was released in 1971). The entire watch was made of plastic, hand-wound mechanical movement included. Everything about it broke the boundaries of of the existing watch world, and at the crux of the quartz era, this watch was a revolutionary mechanical alternative. Many consider this the grandfather to the "Swatch," which did indeed help save the Swiss watch industry.

The watch was designed to run forever. The plastic movement was self lubricating, and you couldn't even open the caseback to service it. The Idea 2001 was designed to be thrown away if it should ever break. This fact, coupled with its immense commercial failure when new makes this Tissot one of the holy grails in vintage watch collecting. You simply can not find one, especially one in great, original, working condition.

Stephen Hallock happens to have one, and he's giving it to you. Well, really just one of you. To enter to win a vintage Tissot Idea 2001 courtesy of MB&F, follow the instructions below:

So this is it, our final giveaway of our second annual giveaway week. We've had a lot of fun, and we can't think of a better way to bring it to a close than with an important but esoteric vintage watch donated by one of today's most creative thinkers. Enjoy!

Yesterday's Breitling Worldtime was so cool that we had to bring out another worldtimer today, one that would run a little less money. This 1970s Tissot has a few things really going for it.

It's got a nice cushion case shape, two off-center crowns, a world-time function, a uniquely shaped and colorful set of hands, and a two-tone dial. This is really a quintessential 70s timepiece, after all what other decade would produce a dial that was mustard yellow and taupe?

Kidding aside, this is a very cool watch that features an automatic movement and a truly unique look. It is part of Tissot's Visodate series, which was revived this year at Basel with their 1957 re-edition, and that only helps the case for this watch.

So how much would you expect to pay for 1970s automatic worldtimer in a cushion case? Well, because it's a Tissot, not that much at all. In fact you purchase this one for only $1350, which to us sounds like a pretty good deal on a cool watch. Click here for details.

This year, Swatch little brother Tissot is following suit by bringing back one of their own 1950s classics, the Visodate. Originally released in 1953 to commemorate Tissot's 100 year anniversary, the Visodate was later adapted into a few different forms, including a beefier dive watch. The original concept is sleek and stylish, and at the time represented a coup for the brand because the watch was both automatic and had a date window.

The just announced Tissot Visodate 1957 is very handsome, features an ETA 2836 movement, and comes in either stainless steel or steel with an interesting PVD Gilt coating. The "Tissot" logo on the dial is also the same style as you would've found on an original Visodate, very cool. It is a simple and classic looking watch with a Swiss automatic movement, deployment clasp, and all the niceties of a modern wristwatch, which includes sapphire crystal and exhibition back.

We don't have the official MSRP just yet but it is listed at $500-$999 which makes this watch a real contender if you're looking for stylish dress watch that won't break the bank.

UPDATE: We just received word the Visodate will be selling for 355 GBP in the United Kingdom and hit shelves at the end of April. This translates to an expected MSRP of roughly $550 here in the US. Now THAT is a steal. Also, case size is 40mm.

We have talked about the strange but not wholly unexpected collaboration between Tissot and Omega before. These two companies made some great looking chronographs together back in the 1940s. The watch we have found for you today is one of those chronographs; a great looking, traditional chronograph in stainless steel.

The watch (as seen to the left) is in good condition and marked with both Tissot and Omega Watch Company on the face, which of course adds value to the piece. We think this is a great value at only $1900, especially considering the age and relative condition.

What we think is most interesting about this particular watch is actually the bracelet (that's the first time we've said that!). It is stainless steel with large holes in it. Haven't you seen something like this before? We think you have, in fact we know you have if you're an active Hodinkee reader. You saw it on Breitling's 125th Anniversary Edition Navitimer. We know some other brands have made this style of bracelet in the past, but we keep seeing it on vintage Tissots. It is strange that Breitling would take a design cue from the little brother of their arch-rival, Omega, don't you think? Then again, we don't always agree with what Breitling does.

Either way, this 1940s chronograph from both Tissot and Omega is a classic vintage piece, and for $1900 you could do a hell of a lot worse. Click here for the deets.

There's one thing for sure here at Hodinkee: There's no denying a great looking watch and giving it the much needed attention, no matter what the brand. Although we've touched on them slightly in the past, Tissot is one of those mid-end brands that still deserve some recognition.

Today's find is a real beauty. What we have featured above is a Tissot timepiece circa 1945. The real appeal to this watch is the size. During this time period, as many of you probably know, watches were not designed to be prominent on one's wrist. This, however, is an example of a watch that deviated from the norm. This Tissot measures 38mm in diameter and contains a charcoal dial with pink hands and numerals. The movement is a 15 jewel automatic movement signed by Tissot.

Although this watch is completely restored and looks to be in excellent condition, we feel the asking price of $2,675 seems to be a bit on the high-end, especially for a Tissot. If this is a watch you would like to add to your collection, you might want to consider negotiating the price with the dealer. Click here to read more on this watch.

Two brands collaborating on a piece does happen from time to time. However, they are rarely co-developed from day one and typically just involve the stamping of one name on the face. That is not what we have here. Today we have a slick, retro chronograph in black designed by Omega, with whom we're sure you're all very familiar, and Tissot, with whom some of you may have only been introduced recently.

This watch is from the mid 1940's and features a very rare black dial with the snail chronograph scale in the center, two sub registers and a tachymetre track. This is a one-button chronograph, which we absolutely love. The look is absolutely vintage 1940's with overlapping registers and spaced hinges. This is a really unique and cool looking watch.

It is a good size at 37mm and is definitely something that you won't find every day. In fact, we've never seen one like this before, ever. We are unsure of the price because the dealer would like you to contact them directly, but we would like to see this watch go for around $7500. However, the fact that the dealer is asking you to request a price directly does not bode well for this watch being priced under the $10,000 mark. Either way, it's a really unique piece and maybe, just maybe, this watch has a reasonable price and a Hodinkee reader out there will pick up a great collabortion between Omega and Tissot.

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Friday March 3, 2012

HODINKEE is one of the most widely read wristwatch publications in the world. Launched in 2008 by then 25-year-old Benjamin Clymer, the site quickly gained notoriety for earnest looks at some of the industry’s most interesting, and occasionally forgotten timepieces.